chapter 2

Chapter 2: A New God's Test

After talking with Azazel for a while, he made a few things clear to me. First, there would be a system to help guide my decisions, as well as a companion who had insight into how the dungeon worked. When I asked about the companion, he explained that it would be based on my race. Since I was—what did he call it?—an incubus, my companion would most likely be a smaller demonkin.

We continued talking, with him offering bits of information about the world, when suddenly, a new being appeared. A god—or maybe a goddess? It was hard to tell by sight alone. Their entire body was covered in shimmering, jagged crystals, reflecting light in mesmerizing patterns. Then, I heard their voice—deep, yet undeniably feminine.

"Azazel, you're looking as wonderful as ever. Is this a new toy you're playing with? Now then, where is the new host for my dungeon?"

As Azazel turned to respond, I became painfully aware of the fact that I was still completely naked in front of a woman. Yes, she was a god, and her form was unlike anything truly human—more like a boulder-sized cluster of crystals with floating shards that I assumed acted as her limbs. Still, my instincts kicked in, and I tried to cover myself as best I could. But even with my hands, there was no hiding my, uh… new proportions.

Azazel's sharp gaze snapped back to me, and I immediately stood at attention, not wanting to anger him more than I already had.

"Yes," he said, his tone firm. "Gypsum here is going to take you to your new home shortly. From now on, if you need anything, pray to her or me. If you need advice, I'm sure one of us can help you—but don't call on me often."

So that was her name—Gypsum. I would do my best to remember it.

Gypsum quickly responded, her voice cold and uninterested. "Ignore me once you've gotten your guide. Only contact me when it's necessary."

I looked at her, confused. Neither of them wanted me to talk to them? I understood Azazel, but why not Gypsum? Then again, the more I thought about it, the less I cared. If bothering them meant getting smited or yelled at, I might as well ask my questions now.

"Lady Gypsum, ma'am, can I ask you a few questions?"

This caught her attention. She turned slightly, tilting her massive crystalline body.

"Go on," she said, impatience clear in her tone.

I didn't have much to ask, just a few pressing concerns. "Yes, um, I have three questions. Will I have clothes in this dungeon? Second, will I need to eat like normal people? I don't know what my new race eats. And third, will I be in danger?"

She didn't respond immediately. I wasn't sure if she was surprised by my questions or just didn't care. When she finally spoke, she only answered one of them.

"Yes, it will be dangerous. Ask your guide for the other things."

Yeah, she clearly didn't want to talk to me.

I waited patiently while the two gods finished their conversation. After what felt like hours, Azazel finally turned to me.

"Mike, you will now be known by my name. Most dungeons take on the name of the god that supports them, but since I brought you back, the gods will know it's me and not Gypsum here. Now, take this."

He handed me a coin engraved with what looked like a demonic pentagram or some other strange pattern. I didn't fully understand why they wouldn't just associate the dungeon with Gypsum, considering I was working under her. But whatever—these gods were strange, and it was best not to overthink it.

Gypsum then spoke up. "It's time to go, little Azazel."

Before I could react, the world blurred. My perception twisted, and I felt violently shaken, as if I was being flung through space at the speed of light. Then, just as suddenly, it stopped, and I was thrown forward, tumbling across the ground until I finally landed face-first.

"Get up, little demon. This will be the last time we speak."

I tried to rise, I really did, but the best I could manage while the world was still spinning in my head was sitting up.

"You are not to be killed before reaching Gold Tier," she continued. "You will make me look bad if you do—and I promise, there are worse places than the Hells."

I nodded along. You don't question a god to her face, especially one that just threw you across dimensions. Though, honestly, it was hard to imagine a fate worse than eternal damnation.

"Second," she continued, "I'm giving you a system so we don't have to talk again for a while. Do not call on Azazel or me unless absolutely necessary. Thirdly, grow my name."

Grow her name? What did she mean by that? As I began to think it over, she moved closer, extending a crystal limb—or was it a finger?—toward me.

Suddenly, it felt like my very soul was being ripped out of my body. The pain was beyond anything I could describe. My vision darkened, and then, just as quickly, I was slammed back into myself, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat."What… what did you do?" I managed to choke out.

Looking up, I saw a new crystal floating beside me. It shifted in color, deep red and blue swirling like they were fighting for dominance, before finally settling into the most beautiful shade of purple I had ever seen—a milky, almost ethereal obsidian-like hue, clear yet flawed.

"This is your core," Gypsum said. "As long as it remains intact, you will not die. But without it, you can die permanently. No gods will save your soul, and since you have already died once, no afterlife will claim you. So be careful."

My face paled—at least, I think it did. Hard to tell when I couldn't even see myself.

"Is there anything else before I go?" she asked, sounding like she wanted nothing more than to be rid of me.

I struggled to think of anything, but one question lingered in my mind.

"You and Azazel both said I would have a guide or a helper?"

Gypsum's response was immediate. "Ignore me once you've gotten your guide. Only contact me when it's necessary."

I frowned. So neither of them wanted me bothering them. I understood Azazel, but why not Gypsum? Then again, maybe it was better this way. The last thing I needed was to get on a god's bad side.

She quickly added, "The coin will summon your new guide. Now, if there's nothing else, I'm leaving."

Well, she was a little impatient—but whatever. I wasn't about to ask more questions and risk irritating a god further.

With nothing else to do, I decided I might as well use the coin. At first, I wasn't sure how to activate it. I tried a few things—waving it around, focusing on it, even saying some dumb phrase like "use coin" as if just commanding it verbally would make it work. But, surprisingly, that actually did the trick.

The coin dissolved in my hands, turning into a fine, glittering dust that dispersed into the air. Then, suddenly, a magic circle formed in front of me, glowing with intricate runes that pulsed with energy. The air around it hummed with power, and I instinctively stepped back as something—someone—began emerging from the ground within the summoning circle.

The being that took shape was like me in some ways—I could tell right away. He stood about four and a half feet tall, with the same androgynous frame as mine, though there were noticeable differences. His body was lithe, but his hips and ass were more pronounced, giving him a naturally alluring shape.

Then, finally, he spoke, his voice sitting right in the middle—not deep, but not so feminine that you'd mistake him for a woman just by sound alone.

"Hello, boss. I'm Nike."